The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1887-07-14
nent gentlemen responded 10 toasts In.
Guiding Mr.. Cleveland, who spoke to the
president oil the United States" II

Inc Pfeaiuent spoke 90 follows: am
inclined to con.en. myself on this occa.
sion with an acknowledgment on behalf
Of the people Of the United States OF the
compliment which you have paid TO the
office which representa- their sovereignty.
But such an Acknowledgement suggests an
Idea which cannot refrain from dwelling
upon for moment that the Office OF
President Of the United States does repre-.
sent the sovereignty Of sixty millions OF
people, is to my mind q statement full OF
aolemnity, for this sovereignty conceive
to be tho working act, or enforcement
Of the divine gift Of man to GOV.
ern himsell, and a manifestation
Of Gods plans concerning the human
race. Though the struggles OF political
parties to secure the incumbency Of this
office, and the questionable methods
sometimes resorted to for It's possessiou,
may not be In keeping with this idea, and
though the deceit practiced To mislesd the
people in their choice, and its too frequent
influence on their suffrage may surprise
US, these things should never load us
astray In our estimate Of this exalted
position, and It's value and dig
nifty, and though your fellow citizen,
who may be chosen to perform for time
the duties Of this highest place should be
badly selected and though the best oh.
tainable reeultH may not be reached by
bis administration, yet the exacting
watchfulness Of the people freed from the
disturbing turmoil OF political excitement
ought to prevent miachance to the Office
which represents their sovereignty, and
should reduce to q minimum the danger
OF harm TO the State, I by no means un-
dereatimste the importance Of the
utmost care and q circumspection In
the selection oil the incumbent,
On the contrary, I believe there Is no oh.
legation OF citizenship that demands more
thought and conscientious deliberation
than this, but am speaking Of the citi.
zen's duty to the Office and It's selected in.
cumbent. This duty Is only performed
when in the interest OF the entire people
the full exercise Of the powers OF the chief
msgistracy is insisted on, and when for
the peoples safety due regard for the
limitations placed upon the Office is OK.
acted. VA Z. & 4. & n 4
X A REFERENCE TO ALLusloNs.
These things should be enforced by tho
manifestation Of calm and enlightened
public opinion. But this should not DO
stimulated by the mad clamor Of dissp.
pointed interest which without regard for
the general good or allowance for the ex.
ercise OF official judgment would degrade
the office by forcing compliance with self
ish demands. II your President should
not be Of the people and one Of your fell
low.citizsns, he would be utterly unfit for
the position. incapable Of understanding
the peoples wants and their de-
sires. That he Is one OF the
people implies that he is subject
to human frailty and error, but he
should be permitted to claim little tolera.
ton for mistakes. The generosity Of bis
tellow.citizens should alone decree how
far good Intentions should excuse his
shortcomings. Watch well, then, this
high office, the most precious possession
Of American citizenship. Demand for it
the most complete devotion on the part Of
him to whose custody 1t may be entrusted
and protect it not less violently from un-
worthy assaults from without. Thus will
you perform sacred duty to yourselves
and to those who may follow you in the
enjoyment Of the freest institutions which
heaven has ever vouchsafed to man. @
The President then returned to Mrs.
Williams for a short rest. The crowd
which followed was go great and SO en-
tirely uncomfortable that it threatened
destruction to the fence and grounds. The
President, seeing the danger, OF once
stationed himeeli in front OF the house and
began to shake hands. and a Hood Of
people at once poured in the gates. SO
Mrs. Cleveland eat on the steps during
this informal reception. She held a re.
ception for the ladies during the afternoon
at the Williams residence,